Doctor frantically tried to revive Michael Jackson before paramedics arrived, 911 recording reveals [Updated]
Michael Jackson's personal doctor frantically administered CPR in an attempt to revive Jackson on Thursday before paramedics arrived, according to a 911 recording.
The recording quotes an unidentified man saying he needed "an ambulance as soon as possible" sent to the Holmby Hills home the pop star was renting.
"He's not breathing. He's not breathing," the man said. "We are trying to pump him."
The man told the 911 operator that Jackson was lying on a bed and that "his personal doctor" was trying to revive him.
-- Shelby Grad
[Updated at 12 p.m. To see a transcript of the 911 call compiled by City News Service, click the Read Full Story link:]
Caller: Yes sir, I need an ambulance as soon as possible, sir.
Dispatcher: OK, sir. Give us your address.
Caller: It’s 100 N. Carolwood Drive, Los Angeles, Calif., 90077
Dispatcher: You said Carolwood?
Caller: Carolwood Drive, yes.
Dispatcher: OK sir, what’s the phone number your calling from? (omitted)
Dispatcher: (inaudible) ... exactly what happened?
Caller: Uh, I have a, we have a gentleman here that needs help and he stopped breathing. He’s not breathing and we need to -- we’re trying to pump him but he’s not...
Dispatcher: OK, OK, how old is he?
Caller: He’s uh, 50 years old, sir.
Dispatcher: 50? OK. He’s unconscious? He’s not breathing?
Caller: Yes, he’s not breathing, sir.
Dispatcher: OK, and he’s not not conscious either?
Caller: He’s not conscious, sir.
Dispatcher: OK, all right. Do you have him, is he on the floor? Where is he at right now?
Caller: He’s on the bed sir, he’s on ...
Dispatcher: OK, let’s get him on the floor.
Caller: OK.
Dispatcher: OK, let’s get him down to the floor. I’m going to help you with CPR right now, OK?
Caller: We need ...
Dispatcher: We’re on our way there. We’re on our way. I’m going to do what I can to help you over the phone. We’re already on our way. Did anybody see him?
Caller: Yes, we have a personal doctor here with him sir.
Dispatcher: Oh, you have a doctor there?
Caller: Yes, but he’s not responding to anything. No, he’s not responding to CPR or anything.
Dispatcher: Oh, OK. Well, we’re on our way there. If your guy’s doing CPR, or instructed by a doctor he’s a higher authority than me and he’s there on scene. Did anybody witness what happened?
Caller: Uh, no, just the doctor sir. The doctor’s been the only one here.
Dispatcher: OK, so did the doctor see what happened?
Caller: Um, doctor did you see what happened? (inaudible) He’s just, um, if you can please ...
Dispatcher: We’re on our way. We’re on our way. I’m just passing these questions onto my, our paramedics. They’re on their way there, sir.
Caller: Thank you. He’s pumping. He’s pumping his chest, but he’s not responding to anything sir, please.
Dispatcher: OK, OK. We’re on our way. We’re less than a mile away. We’ll be there shortly.
Caller: Thank you, sir, thank you.
Dispatcher: OK sir, call us back if you need any help.
[Updated at 12:48 p.m.: An earlier version of this report said that the 911 tape was obtained by TMZ.com. A Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman said the tape was released to all media organizations at the same time.]
More coverage
Jackson's mourning fans gather
Michael Jackson: king of style
Jackson's death is a blow to concert promoter AEG
TV misses out as gossip website TMZ reports death first
Police seek to question Las Vegas doctor
Fans dance into the night
Flowers placed on Hollywood star
Day of mourning for King of Pop
Jermaine Jackson speaks
Fans gather at wrong Hollywood star



If the MIA doctor,is the licensed Cardiologist living with Jackson, why attempt and prolong CPR on a bed - until 911 instructs ('reminds' a Cardiologist no less) that the patient has to be on a floor?
Posted by: Witholding judgment but... | June 26, 2009 at 11:56 AM
I'm afraid we're looking at another Anna Nicole Smith type tragedy. If that's the case, it's even more heartbreaking.
Posted by: Ruby Jackson | June 26, 2009 at 11:57 AM
I never knew Michael Jackson, but I wish I had. I experienced his music and his songs. I’ll Be There is a beautiful song. Thriller changed my life. Michael seemed complex and sensitive. He was a musical genius and an icon. His childhood was lost to him. He was human. He made mistakes. He touched the lives of millions, and gave us all he had. Though I never knew him, I feel as though I did. He was my friend, and he shall be sorely missed.
Posted by: fredbuhl | June 26, 2009 at 12:07 PM
Doing CPR on a bed? That is stupid. You need a solid surface beneath the patient.
I think the doctor was 'treating' Michael with 'something special'. Something went wrong.
Oops..
Somebody is in a lot of trouble.
Vito
Posted by: Uncle_vito | June 26, 2009 at 01:00 PM
Frantic? I did not hear frantic in that voice. And how could a cardiologist not know that CPR should be performed on a hard surface...not a bed? Who was the person on the phone making the call? It clearly was not the doctor.
Posted by: Skelly | June 26, 2009 at 01:50 PM
Can't wait to hear what Oxman has to say.
Posted by: Skelly | June 26, 2009 at 01:53 PM
Yes, that was exactly what I was thinking. What licensed medical professional would not know to perform CPR on a hard surface, when even day camp counselors, daycare personel, etc. know this? The "caller" is going to be a serious problem for the doctor in a court of law, if indicted. Did he not think that "faking" resuscitation would only fool the caller? All speculation of course.
Posted by: greg | June 27, 2009 at 12:29 AM
Maybe Mike had a whole medical bed set-up type of rig in his house? For playing doctors and patient? We don't drag people onto the floor if they are on a surface with good support. If he was on a saggy old inner-spring, that would be a whole different matter. But, hospital beds and stretchers are uncomfortable for good reason - otherwise we'd be tossing people onto the floor in hospitals around the world. Messy.
My guess is, his room was part morgue - part hospital.
What I don't understand is "why was lignocaine used?" and this by a cardiologist? And - why no narcan?
Posted by: nurse | June 27, 2009 at 09:33 AM
My thoughts on this whole thing, I hope to God above that this so called Doctor didnt hurt Micheal, that would be a terrible thing!!! and a terrible way to go for a person that changed the world of thinking thur song. no singer has ever been able to have his music playing all around the world like him and loved so much . when I would hear his music all I would think of is everone holding hand and hand making a circle around the world...........Thank You!! Micheal from the bottom of my heart,Go to God Now and rest my Sweet Brother.Your job here on Earth is done ,God needs you their Now!!!!!!!! Your friend in Jesus .........Angela Jones From Detroit Mich
Posted by: Angela | June 28, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Michael supposedly wasn't a Christian. He converted to Islam with his brother Jermaine, so unfortunatley he can't be in heaven, now.
Posted by: Tom Reve | June 28, 2009 at 09:11 PM